Fuji cherry
Prunus incisa · Rosaceae
📷 Bruce Marlin · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Feuilles, tiges et noyaux ou graines mâchés contiennent des glycosides cyanogènes ; le risque dépend de la partie et de la quantité ingérées. Pour les espèces fruitières, la chair mûre dénoyautée est généralement sans danger.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around fuji cherry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Prunus incisa
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Form
- Small tree or large shrub
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- March to April, pale pink to white flowers
- Mature size
- 3.5 to 4 m in height
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15 to -20 °C)
- Origin
- Japan
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Prunus incisa should be pruned lightly as soon as it finishes flowering: simply remove any branches that hang down or cross each other. Proper drainage is more important than any other maintenance.
The common mistake
Thinking that early flowering (March-April) means it's hardy against late frost damage.
The pro's trick
Plant it on a slight slope or mound if your garden has stagnant moisture in winter.
Care
Sunlight
Install your dwarf cherry tree in a sunny location, ideally with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south or west-facing exposure will encourage generous spring flowering. In partial shade, flowering will be less abundant but the tree will develop properly.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to establish a robust root system. Once established, this tree tolerates moderate dry periods but prefers slightly moist soil in summer. During dry summers, provide water without excess to avoid water stress.
Soil
Prunus incisa adapts to most soils but prefers well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Avoid constantly waterlogged soils that cause root asphyxiation. A layer of compost on the surface enriches the soil without requiring elaborate preparation.
Pruning
Prune after flowering (in May) to maintain a harmonious and airy shape. Remove dead, crossing, or diseased branches. On a young specimen, light shaping pruning is sufficient; on an established tree, keep pruning to a minimum to avoid compromising the following year's flowering.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is strictly necessary if the soil is regularly enriched with compost. If growth is weak, apply balanced fertilizer in spring before bud break. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This cherry is generally robust but can be affected by moniliosis or scale insects in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation through regular pruning and avoid stagnant moisture on the foliage. If infection occurs, intervene quickly with appropriate methods.
Did you know?
Prunus incisa, called 'Fuji-zakura' in Japan, is a direct ancestor of the popular Yoshino ornamental cherry. Its compact habit and delicate pale pink flowers make it one of the jewels of Japanese gardens, where it has symbolized the ephemeral beauty of spring for centuries.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Bird cherryPrunus padus
- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.